Jefferies Financial Group Issues Pessimistic Forecast for United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Stock Price

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) had its price target reduced by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $154.00 to $80.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “buy” rating on the transportation company’s stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 12.09% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on UAL. UBS Group cut their price objective on United Airlines from $140.00 to $107.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Barclays set a $140.00 price target on United Airlines and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on United Airlines from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of United Airlines from $108.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of United Airlines from $125.00 to $110.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $111.75.

United Airlines Stock Up 4.6 %

NASDAQ UAL opened at $71.37 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $91.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $86.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. The firm has a market cap of $23.36 billion, a PE ratio of 7.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.41. United Airlines has a 52 week low of $37.02 and a 52 week high of $116.00.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The transportation company reported $3.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.30. United Airlines had a return on equity of 32.26% and a net margin of 5.52%. The company had revenue of $14.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.00 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 12.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Airlines

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UAL. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its position in shares of United Airlines by 45.6% in the first quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,034 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 324 shares during the period. 111 Capital acquired a new stake in United Airlines in the 4th quarter worth about $206,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in United Airlines by 9.9% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,340 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,266,000 after buying an additional 2,108 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of United Airlines by 106.4% during the 4th quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 12,773 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,240,000 after acquiring an additional 6,585 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth about $5,817,000. 69.69% of the stock is currently 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.