United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Shares Gap Up - Should You Buy?

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $55.62, but opened at $57.94. United Airlines shares last traded at $59.24, with a volume of 2,139,691 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UAL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Redburn Atlantic upgraded United Airlines from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $70.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 6th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on United Airlines from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $72.59.

United Airlines Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $19.47 billion, a PE ratio of 7.32, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.44. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $46.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $48.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The transportation company reported $4.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.97 by $0.17. United Airlines had a return on equity of 33.90% and a net margin of 5.28%. The company had revenue of $14.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $15.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.03 earnings per share. United Airlines's revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. will post 9.78 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UAL. TFO Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of United Airlines by 34,342.9% in the 4th quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,411 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $99,000 after acquiring an additional 2,404 shares in the last quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter valued at about $206,000. Rafferty Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 43,865 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,810,000 after buying an additional 1,755 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of United Airlines by 29.8% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 55,498 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,290,000 after buying an additional 12,727 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Markets Corp grew its position in shares of United Airlines by 82.8% in the 4th quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 33,087 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,365,000 after buying an additional 14,985 shares during the last quarter. 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.