Empowered Funds LLC Boosts Holdings in United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL)

Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) by 1,627.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 85,288 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 80,352 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in United Airlines were worth $8,281,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UAL. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in United Airlines during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the 3rd quarter worth $36,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines in the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in United Airlines by 108.6% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 753 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cromwell Holdings LLC grew its position in United Airlines by 31.4% during the third quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 930 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares during the period. 69.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UAL has been the topic of a number of research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on United Airlines from $108.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Raymond James reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $130.00 price target (up from $120.00) on shares of United Airlines in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, United Airlines currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $113.88.

United Airlines Price Performance

UAL stock opened at $109.00 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $35.85 billion, a PE ratio of 11.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.43. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $101.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $75.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $37.02 and a 52-week high of $116.00.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The transportation company reported $3.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $14.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.40 billion. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.52% and a return on equity of 32.26%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.00 earnings per share. Analysts predict that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. will post 13.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Airlines declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, October 15th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the transportation company to reacquire up to 7.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Transactions at United Airlines

In other news, EVP Linda P. Jojo sold 60,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.12, for a total value of $5,707,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 63,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,049,536.88. The trade was a 48.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

United Airlines Profile

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.