United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Shares Down 5.3% – Here’s What Happened

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) was down 5.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $101.84 and last traded at $98.66. Approximately 1,255,825 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 6,133,094 shares. The stock had previously closed at $104.18.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on UAL shares. 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 research note on Thursday, October 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $119.00 price objective on shares of United Airlines in a report on Friday, November 15th. Susquehanna raised their target price on United Airlines from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Citigroup raised their price objective on United Airlines from $98.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on United Airlines from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $113.88.

United Airlines Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $102.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $76.78. The company has a market capitalization of $32.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.60, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The transportation company reported $3.26 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.00 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. will post 13.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Linda P. Jojo sold 60,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.12, for a total transaction of $5,707,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 63,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,049,536.88. This trade represents a 48.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.63% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Airlines

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UAL. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in United Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the third quarter worth $29,000. Hemington Wealth Management boosted its stake in United Airlines by 70.8% in the 4th quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 316 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of United Airlines in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in United Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

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.