United Airlines Holdings Inc $UAL Position Trimmed by Senator Investment Group LP

Key Points

• Senator Investment Group cut its United Airlines stake by 24.8% in the second quarter, selling 354,190 shares and retaining 1.08 million shares valued at approximately $146.2 million. United remains the fund’s fourth-largest holding and represents 5.3% of its portfolio.
• United reported quarterly EPS of $1.99, exceeding the $1.88 analyst estimate, while revenue rose 16.4% year over year to $17.67 billion. The company guided for fiscal 2026 EPS of $9 to $11, compared with analysts’ $9.91 consensus estimate.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $157.74 versus the stock’s reported $110.60 opening price. However, insiders sold $32.3 million of shares during the last quarter, including sizable sales by the CEO and an executive vice president.

Senator Investment Group LP decreased its stake in United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL - Free Report) by 24.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,075,439 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 354,190 shares during the quarter. United Airlines makes up 5.3% of Senator Investment Group LP's portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Senator Investment Group LP owned 0.33% of United Airlines worth $146,249,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Two Sigma Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 2nd quarter valued at about $558,000. Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in United Airlines by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. now owns 6,337 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $862,000 after acquiring an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its holdings in United Airlines by 18.0% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 959,281 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $130,453,000 after acquiring an additional 146,328 shares in the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board raised its stake in United Airlines by 8.8% during the 2nd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 16,100 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,189,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Finally, Mufg Securities Americas Inc. raised its stake in United Airlines by 9.2% during the 2nd quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 9,776 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,329,000 after acquiring an additional 827 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.69% of the company's stock.

United Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of United Airlines stock opened at $110.60 on Monday. The stock's fifty day moving average is $123.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $108.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The company has a market capitalization of $35.90 billion, a PE ratio of 10.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.28. 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 announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The transportation company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.88 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $17.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.62 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 19.05% and a net margin of 5.56%.United Airlines's quarterly revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.87 earnings per share. United Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000-11.000 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that United Airlines Holdings Inc will post 9.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Trending Headlines about United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: A321XLR aircraft support international expansion. United expects to receive enough Airbus A321XLR aircraft to operate five new European routes in summer 2027, including service to Luxembourg, Ibiza and Toulouse. The aircraft should allow United to profitably serve long-haul markets with smaller-capacity planes, supporting its broader plan to add 10 European cities and strengthen its international network. United Airlines A321XLR Expansion Strengthens the International Growth Story
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo reaffirmed its Buy rating. The continued bullish stance from a major analyst provides support for the stock’s long-term outlook and indicates confidence in United’s earnings and growth prospects. Wells Fargo Reaffirms Buy Rating
• Positive Sentiment: Higher airfares could improve revenue and margins. Industry airfares have risen sharply, and airline executives believe prices may have room to increase further. If demand remains resilient, United could benefit from stronger pricing and improved earnings power. Airfares Are Up 25.5 Percent
• Neutral Sentiment: Executive selling was relatively modest. EVP Andrew Nocella sold 5,000 shares for approximately $585,000, reducing his holdings by 2.27%. The sale may weigh slightly on sentiment, although he retained more than 214,000 shares. Andrew Nocella Sells United Airlines Shares
• Negative Sentiment: UAL recently underperformed the broader market. Reports noted that the stock declined even as the overall market advanced, suggesting investors may be taking profits, rotating away from airline shares or awaiting clearer evidence that fare increases and international expansion will translate into sustained earnings growth. United Airlines Stock Sinks as Market Gains

Insider Transactions at United Airlines

In related news, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 5,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.00, for a total value of $585,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 214,955 shares in the company, valued at $25,149,735. The trade was a 2.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 159,321 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.05, for a total transaction of $18,807,844.05. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 797,851 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $94,186,310.55. This trade represents a 16.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 271,010 shares of company stock worth $32,317,909 over the last quarter. 0.86% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have weighed in on UAL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of United Airlines from $156.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $130.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $136.00 to $153.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on United Airlines from $130.00 to $157.50 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research raised United Airlines from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Airlines presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $157.74.

United Airlines Profile

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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