Smith Anglin Financial LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL)

Smith Anglin Financial LLC decreased its position in United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) by 16.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,867 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 1,137 shares during the period. Smith Anglin Financial LLC’s holdings in United Airlines were worth $570,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Park Avenue Securities LLC purchased a new position in United Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $561,000. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth $255,000. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth $583,000. Quantum Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth $215,000. Finally, Friedenthal Financial bought a new position in United Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at $796,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

United Airlines Stock Up 0.9 %

UAL opened at $108.62 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.79. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $37.02 and a fifty-two week high of $110.92. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $96.57 and its 200 day moving average is $68.16. The stock has a market cap of $35.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.44.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.10 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $14.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.76 billion. United Airlines had a net margin of 4.94% and a return on equity of 30.72%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.65 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. will post 10.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Airlines declared that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Tuesday, October 15th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the transportation company to buy up to 7.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UAL has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James increased their target price on United Airlines from $90.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 30th. Dbs Bank raised United Airlines from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Jefferies Financial Group increased 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. Bank of America increased their target price 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, TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of United Airlines from $100.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $106.45.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Airlines news, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 14,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.00, for a total transaction of $1,044,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 30,427 shares in the company, valued at $2,190,744. The trade was a 32.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.44, for a total transaction of $1,407,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 40,012 shares in the company, valued at $3,218,565.28. This trade represents a 30.43 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 92,000 shares of company stock worth $8,158,900 in the last 90 days. 0.63% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.