United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Given "Buy" Rating at The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Free Report) in a report issued on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has a $119.00 target price on the transportation company's stock.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on UAL. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of United Airlines from $80.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on United Airlines from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Bank of America increased 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. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price target on United Airlines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $86.61.

United Airlines Trading Down 0.2 %

UAL stock traded down $0.14 during trading on Friday, reaching $91.02. 3,486,352 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,480,620. The business's 50 day moving average price is $66.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $54.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.93 billion, a PE ratio of 11.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.72. United Airlines has a 52-week low of $37.02 and a 52-week high of $93.33.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.10 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $14.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.76 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 30.72% and a net margin of 4.94%. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.65 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that United Airlines will post 10.23 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,218,565.28. The trade was a 30.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 14,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.00, for a total transaction 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 represents a 32.27 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.63% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in United Airlines in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the second quarter worth $30,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in United Airlines in the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in United Airlines in the first quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings 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 last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.