Versant Capital Management Inc Boosts Holdings in United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL)

Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) by 98.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,345 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 667 shares during the quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc’s holdings in United Airlines were worth $131,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Airlines during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in United Airlines during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in United Airlines in the 3rd quarter worth $36,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 108.6% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 753 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the period. Finally, Quest Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Airlines by 3,504.8% during the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 757 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 736 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

United Airlines Stock Up 0.3 %

NASDAQ UAL opened at $95.67 on Friday. 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 stock has a market cap of $31.46 billion, a PE ratio of 11.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.44. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $92.60 and its 200 day moving average is $64.90. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $37.02 and a 12 month high of $105.09.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released 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 business had revenue of $14.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.65 EPS. Research analysts predict that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. will post 10.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.44, for a total value of $1,407,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,012 shares in the company, valued at $3,218,565.28. This trade represents a 30.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Linda P. Jojo sold 60,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.12, for a total transaction of $5,707,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 63,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,049,536.88. This trade represents a 48.54 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 92,000 shares of company stock valued at $8,158,900 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup increased their target price on United Airlines from $98.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $139.00 target price on shares of United Airlines in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of United Airlines from $90.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, December 30th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $70.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $102.28.

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.