United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Stock Price Target Lowered at Susquehanna

Key Points

• Susquehanna lowered United Airlines’ price target from $150 to $130 while maintaining a positive rating, implying approximately 27.9% upside from the prior close.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly favorable: 16 analysts rate the stock Buy, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $157.44.
• United’s latest quarter slightly missed EPS expectations, and elevated fuel costs are pressuring margins; however, management forecast fourth-quarter revenue of about $18.5 billion, above consensus.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) had its target price reduced by investment analysts at Susquehanna from $150.00 to $130.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a "positive" rating on the transportation company's stock. Susquehanna's price target suggests a potential upside of 27.86% from the company's previous close.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of United Airlines from $192.00 to $167.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on United Airlines from $156.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on United Airlines from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Wall Street Zen downgraded United Airlines from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $160.00 price objective on United Airlines in a research note on Tuesday. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $157.44.

United Airlines Price Performance

UAL stock opened at $101.67 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.78. The company's fifty day moving average price is $109.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $110.71. United Airlines has a one year low of $84.64 and a one year high of $138.77. The company has a market capitalization of $33.00 billion, a PE ratio of 11.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.30.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $2.54 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.57 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $17.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $17.89 billion. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.46% and a return on equity of 18.09%. The business's revenue was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.78 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 7.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, President Brett J. Hart sold 30,108 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.72, for a total transaction of $3,634,637.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the president directly owned 371,583 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,857,499.76. The trade was a 7.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, EVP Torbjorn Enqvist sold 20,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.91, for a total transaction of $2,398,200.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 114,800 shares in the company, valued at $13,765,668. The trade was a 14.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 62,308 shares of company stock valued at $7,520,754. Company insiders own 0.86% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dunhill Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of United Airlines during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Western Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Airlines by 393.0% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 212 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont bought a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. purchased a new position in United Airlines during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors own 69.69% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting United Airlines

Here are the key news stories impacting United Airlines this week:

• Positive Sentiment: United forecast fourth-quarter revenue of approximately $18.5 billion, above the $18.2 billion analyst consensus and representing year-over-year growth of more than 20%. The outlook suggests customers continue to spend despite higher fares. United Airlines forecasts record fourth-quarter revenue growth above 20%
• Positive Sentiment: Management said United recaptured 72% of the increase in quarterly fuel expenses through pricing and other measures. The airline also expanded its revolving credit facility from $3 billion to $5 billion, strengthening liquidity amid an uncertain cost environment. United Airlines: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors
• Positive Sentiment: Approval of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 could eventually help United receive additional aircraft and improve fleet capacity, though the benefit is more relevant to 2027 and beyond. Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 Approval
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option activity—123,676 contracts, about 546% above average—signals increased speculative bullish interest, but options trading does not change United’s underlying fundamentals.
• Negative Sentiment: United’s third-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.54 missed the $2.57 consensus, while revenue of $17.88 billion was essentially in line with expectations. EPS also declined from $2.78 a year earlier as fuel costs rose. UAL Q3 Earnings Miss on Surging Fuel Costs
• Negative Sentiment: Fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $0.50–$1.50 was well below the $1.81 consensus. United also warned that elevated fuel costs may persist through 2027, raising concerns about margins and forcing a reduction in its profit outlook. United Airlines Sees Elevated Fuel Costs Through 2027
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Scott Kirby’s support for a wealth tax has attracted political criticism, particularly given his reported compensation. The controversy may create reputational noise, but it is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby Doubles Down on Wealth Tax Support

United Airlines Company Profile

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.

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