EFG International AG Acquires New Holdings in United Airlines Holdings Inc $UAL

Key Points

• EFG International acquired 15,239 United Airlines shares in the second quarter, valued at approximately $2.07 million. Institutional investors collectively own 69.69% of UAL.
• United announced its largest-ever international expansion for 2027, adding 10 destinations and three routes across Europe and Asia. Airbus A321XLR deliveries are expected to support service to smaller international markets, although added aircraft, staffing, marketing costs and higher fuel prices could pressure margins.
• United exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $1.99 in adjusted EPS and $17.67 billion in revenue, while analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with a $157.74 price target. However, executives have recently sold shares and TD Cowen lowered its price expectations.

EFG International AG bought a new position in United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 15,239 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $2,072,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Dunhill Financial LLC acquired a new position in United Airlines in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Western Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in United Airlines in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in United Airlines by 393.0% in 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 period. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont bought a new position in United Airlines in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.69% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: United announced the largest international expansion in its history, adding 10 destinations and three routes across Europe and Asia to its 2027 schedule. The expansion targets strong premium and leisure demand, including routes to smaller markets such as Marseille, Sardinia, Luxembourg and Ibiza, as well as Okinawa, Japan. United Airlines 2027 international routes
• Positive Sentiment: The carrier expects sufficient Airbus A321XLR deliveries to support the expansion. The aircraft’s long range and smaller capacity should allow United to serve thinner international markets while limiting the cost and risk of deploying larger aircraft. United A321XLR deliveries
• Positive Sentiment: Management cited resilient overseas travel demand and confidence in the U.S. economy. A successful rollout could strengthen United’s premium international revenue engine and improve its competitive position against Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. United expands competition for travelers
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data showed no meaningful reported short position, but the figures appear inconsistent and provide little useful signal for UAL investors.
• Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen lowered its expectations for United’s stock price, potentially encouraging investors to lock in gains following the expansion-related rally. TD Cowen lowers United expectations
• Negative Sentiment: The 2027 growth plan will require additional aircraft, staffing and marketing spending, while higher oil prices could pressure margins. Investors may also be concerned that adding capacity could intensify competition or fail to generate sufficient yields.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UAL has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of United Airlines from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on United Airlines from $130.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Wall Street Zen downgraded United Airlines from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. Zacks Research raised United Airlines from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on United Airlines from $131.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $157.74.

Insider Transactions at United Airlines

In related news, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 159,321 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.05, for a total value of $18,807,844.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 797,851 shares in the company, valued at approximately $94,186,310.55. This represents a 16.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.91, for a total value of $2,398,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 114,800 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,765,668. This trade represents a 14.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders have sold a total of 266,010 shares of company stock worth $31,732,909 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.86% of the company's stock.

United Airlines Stock Performance

NASDAQ:UAL opened at $114.83 on Thursday. The firm's 50-day moving average is $123.83 and its 200-day moving average is $108.69. The company has a market cap of $37.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.74, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.78. United Airlines Holdings Inc has a 52-week low of $84.64 and a 52-week high of $138.77.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The transportation company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.88 by $0.11. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.56% and a return on equity of 19.05%. The business had revenue of $17.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $17.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.87 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. United Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000-11.000 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Airlines Holdings Inc will post 10.12 earnings per share for the current year.

About United Airlines

United Airlines Holdings, Inc operates United Airlines, a major U.S. full-service passenger carrier providing scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo. The company offers a comprehensive route network that covers domestic markets across the United States as well as extensive international service to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. United operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft on point-to-point and hub-and-spoke routes, and supports corporate and leisure travel through offerings such as premium cabins, basic economy, and ancillary services including baggage, seat selection and in-flight amenities.

In addition to passenger operations, United provides cargo services through United Cargo, handling freight, mail and specialized shipments.

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