Jefferies Financial Group Has Lowered Expectations for United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Stock Price

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) had its target price cut by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $154.00 to $80.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the transportation company’s stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s target price indicates a potential upside of 12.09% from the stock’s current price.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on UAL. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on United Airlines from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Bank of America dropped their target price on United Airlines from $125.00 to $110.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on United Airlines from $108.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Raymond James reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $130.00 price objective (up previously from $120.00) on shares of United Airlines in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Barclays set a $140.00 target price on shares of United Airlines and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $111.75.

United Airlines Stock Performance

United Airlines stock opened at $71.37 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $23.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.41. United Airlines has a 12 month low of $37.02 and a 12 month high of $116.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $91.18 and its 200-day moving average is $86.87.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The transportation company reported $3.26 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.30. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.52% and a return on equity of 32.26%. The firm had revenue of $14.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.00 earnings per share. United Airlines’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 12.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Hemington Wealth Management increased its position in United Airlines by 70.8% in the fourth quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 316 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the period. Capital A Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in United Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

United Airlines Company 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.