Morgan Stanley Issues Positive Forecast for United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Stock Price

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Free Report) had its price target raised by Morgan Stanley from $88.00 to $130.00 in a report published on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the transportation company's stock.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on United Airlines from $100.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Citigroup raised their price objective on United Airlines from $98.00 to $122.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $139.00 target price on shares of United Airlines in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on United Airlines from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Airlines has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $98.95.

United Airlines Price Performance

Shares of United Airlines stock traded up $2.43 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $98.96. 5,413,828 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,238,668. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The company has a market capitalization of $32.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.44. United Airlines has a 52-week low of $37.02 and a 52-week high of $105.09. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $81.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $59.67.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 analysts' expectations of $14.76 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.65 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that United Airlines will post 10.23 EPS for the current year.

United Airlines announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, October 15th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the transportation company to buy up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at United Airlines

In other news, 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 value of $1,044,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 30,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,190,744. This trade represents a 32.27 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of United Airlines 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 directly owns 40,012 shares in the company, valued at $3,218,565.28. This represents a 30.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 92,000 shares of company stock worth $8,158,900. Company insiders own 0.63% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of United Airlines by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,320,253 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $588,874,000 after acquiring an additional 78,470 shares during the last quarter. Sanders Capital LLC boosted its holdings in United Airlines by 12.4% in the third quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 9,457,587 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $539,650,000 after purchasing an additional 1,040,589 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in United Airlines by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,311,220 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $477,526,000 after purchasing an additional 168,498 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of United Airlines by 29.1% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,601,425 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $272,559,000 after buying an additional 1,263,604 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Castle Hook Partners LP lifted its holdings in shares of United Airlines by 176.1% in the 3rd quarter. Castle Hook Partners LP now owns 4,245,120 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $242,227,000 after buying an additional 2,707,442 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.69% of the company's stock.

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.