HSBC Initiates Coverage on United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL)

Equities research analysts at HSBC started coverage on shares of United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm set a "buy" rating and a $69.20 price target on the transportation company's stock. HSBC's price objective suggests a potential upside of 27.21% from the stock's previous close.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. StockNews.com raised United Airlines from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of United Airlines from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $50.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of United Airlines from $66.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. Bank of America upped their price objective on United Airlines from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded United Airlines from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $58.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Airlines currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $66.70.

United Airlines Stock Up 3.2 %

UAL traded up $1.68 during trading on Monday, reaching $54.40. The stock had a trading volume of 7,625,404 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,972,764. The company has a current ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.52. The company has a market capitalization of $17.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.72, a P/E/G ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.49. The stock's 50 day moving average is $47.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.01. United Airlines has a one year low of $33.68 and a one year high of $58.23.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 16th. The transportation company reported ($0.15) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.53) by $0.38. The company had revenue of $12.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.43 billion. United Airlines had a net margin of 4.90% and a return on equity of 39.85%. As a group, analysts expect that United Airlines will post 9.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at United Airlines

In other news, EVP Kate Gebo sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.86, for a total value of $762,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 57,512 shares in the company, valued at $2,925,060.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.63% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 707.8% during the 3rd quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 622 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 545 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.