United Airlines Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NASDAQ:UAL)

United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL) saw some unusual options trading activity on Monday. Stock traders acquired 253,351 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 697% compared to the average daily volume of 31,777 call options.

United Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of UAL stock opened at $90.97 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $101.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $102.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The firm has a market cap of $29.42 billion, a PE ratio of 8.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.28. United Airlines has a 12 month low of $53.36 and a 12 month high of $119.21.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 20th. The transportation company reported $3.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.13. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 25.13%. The business had revenue of $15.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.35 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.26 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. United Airlines has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.000-1.500 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 12.000-14.000 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that United Airlines will post 12.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays upped their price target on shares of United Airlines from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $136.00 price target on shares of United Airlines in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of United Airlines from $155.00 to $132.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 20th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Argus cut their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $131.19.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In other news, President Brett J. Hart sold 19,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.45, for a total value of $2,022,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 264,638 shares in the company, valued at $28,170,715.10. This represents a 6.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.71% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. World Investment Advisors raised its position in United Airlines by 42.7% during the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 10,576 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,183,000 after acquiring an additional 3,167 shares in the last quarter. PeakShares LLC bought a new stake in United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth $58,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC raised its position in United Airlines by 17.5% during the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 108,672 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $12,152,000 after acquiring an additional 16,185 shares in the last quarter. Pure Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth $270,000. Finally, OCONNOR A Distinct Business Unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC bought a new stake in United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth $5,591,000. 69.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Airlines Company 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.