United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Stock Gets Price Target Cut from Wells Fargo & Company

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) had its target price dropped by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company from $160.00 to $155.00 in a research report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the transportation company’s stock. Wells Fargo & Company’s price objective suggests a potential upside of 50.72% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Wednesday. TD Cowen dropped their target price on United Airlines from $192.00 to $167.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on United Airlines from $157.50 to $140.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of United Airlines from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $156.50.

United Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ UAL traded up $1.17 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $102.84. 2,346,170 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,707,089. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $109.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $110.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.39, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.30. 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 has a one year low of $84.64 and a one year high of $138.77.

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

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.91, for a total value of $2,398,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 114,800 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,765,668. This represents a 14.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, President Brett Hart sold 30,108 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.72, for a total transaction of $3,634,637.76. Following the completion of the sale, the president directly owned 371,583 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $44,857,499.76. This represents a 7.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders have sold a total of 62,308 shares of company stock valued at $7,520,754 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its holdings in United Airlines by 17.0% during the first quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 861 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. increased its stake in shares of United Airlines by 2.0% in the third quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 6,461 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $717,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of United Airlines by 6.1% in the third quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,392 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $265,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of United Airlines by 3.7% in the first quarter. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,914 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $360,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Basecamp Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of United Airlines by 32.1% during the 1st quarter. Basecamp Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 654 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

Key United Airlines News

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

• Positive Sentiment: United expects fourth-quarter revenue to rise more than 20% year over year, accelerating from 17.4% growth in the third quarter. Strong bookings, higher fares and premium-travel demand are helping offset higher operating costs. United Airlines forecasts record fourth-quarter revenue growth above 20%
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive despite lowering their targets. Argus cut its target from $140 to $125 while maintaining a “buy” rating, and Susquehanna reduced its target from $150 to $130 with a “positive” rating. Both targets imply substantial potential upside from recent levels.
• Positive Sentiment: United expanded its revolving credit facility from $3 billion to $5 billion and reportedly recaptured 72% of the increase in quarterly fuel expense, supporting liquidity and cost recovery. The expected certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 could also help ease future fleet and capacity constraints. United Airlines posts record growth and lines up $5 billion liquidity
• Neutral Sentiment: The company is opening a large new lounge at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport as part of a $2.6 billion hub overhaul. The investment may strengthen United’s premium offering, although it is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. United Airlines set to open its biggest airport lounge
• Negative Sentiment: Fuel costs are the main pressure on UAL shares. United lowered fourth-quarter adjusted EPS guidance to $0.50–$1.50, well below the $1.81 consensus estimate, while warning that elevated fuel prices may persist through 2027. United Airlines sees elevated fuel costs through 2027
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.54 narrowly missed expectations and declined from $2.78 a year earlier, despite revenue of $17.88 billion, up 17.4%. The earnings miss and weaker profit outlook are limiting the positive impact of record sales. United Airlines slashes 2026 profit outlook on fuel prices

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.