United Airlines Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NASDAQ:UAL)

United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL) saw some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Stock investors purchased 406,320 call options on the company. This is an increase of 1,813% compared to the typical volume of 21,236 call options.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. TD Cowen dropped their target price on United Airlines from $192.00 to $167.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Argus reduced their price target on United Airlines from $140.00 to $125.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Susquehanna reduced their price target on United Airlines from $150.00 to $130.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on United Airlines from $140.00 to $135.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $156.19.

United Airlines Trading Down 4.6%

Shares of UAL stock opened at $110.49 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $107.32 and a 200-day moving average price of $108.21. The company has a market cap of $35.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.11, a PEG ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.38. United Airlines has a 1 year low of $84.64 and a 1 year high of $138.77.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $2.54 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.57 by ($0.03). United Airlines had a return on equity of 17.59% and a net margin of 5.46%. The company had revenue of $17.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.89 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.78 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 17.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that United Airlines will post 7.10 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, President Brett J. Hart sold 39,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.68, for a total transaction of $4,004,520.00. Following the sale, the president owned 325,122 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $33,383,526.96. The trade was a 10.71% 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 Andrew Nocella sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.00, for a total transaction of $585,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 214,955 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,149,735. This trade represents a 2.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in United Airlines by 2.0% in the third quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 61,641 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $6,839,000 after buying an additional 1,211 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its stake in shares of United Airlines by 14.9% during the third quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 19,779 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,194,000 after acquiring an additional 2,564 shares during the last quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in United Airlines by 163.8% during the 3rd quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 1,965 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $218,000 after purchasing an additional 1,220 shares during the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of United Airlines by 1.1% during the third quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 42,337 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,697,000 after buying an additional 447 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Keybank National Association OH increased its holdings in shares of United Airlines by 2.6% in the third quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 5,795 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $643,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. 69.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About United Airlines

United Airlines Holdings, Inc is the parent company of United Airlines, a major U.S. commercial airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company provides scheduled passenger air transportation and air cargo services, connecting customers across the United States and to international destinations.

United operates a broad network serving North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Its operations are supported by hubs in major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, DC, as well as an extensive network of regional carriers operating under the United Express brand.

The company offers several travel classes and related services, including premium-cabin seating, onboard amenities, airport lounges and the MileagePlus customer loyalty program.