Sabre Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NASDAQ:SABR)

Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ:SABR) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Friday. Stock investors purchased 45,478 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 1,247% compared to the average daily volume of 3,376 call options.

Sabre Stock Up 6.3%

Shares of Sabre stock traded up $0.09 during trading on Friday, hitting $1.43. 4,713,641 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,532,676. Sabre has a fifty-two week low of $1.31 and a fifty-two week high of $4.63. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $1.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $562.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.07.

Sabre (NASDAQ:SABR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The information technology services provider reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $715.18 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $715.32 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.04) earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Sabre will post 0.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on SABR. Wall Street Zen downgraded Sabre from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Sabre in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Sabre from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $3.80.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sabre

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Triangle Securities Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Sabre in the second quarter worth about $33,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Sabre in the second quarter valued at $34,000. 626 Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sabre in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. MQS Management LLC bought a new position in Sabre during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new position in Sabre during the third quarter worth $32,000. 89.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Sabre

Sabre Corporation is a leading travel technology company that provides software, data, mobile and distribution solutions to the global travel industry. Through its Sabre travel marketplace, the company operates one of the world’s principal global distribution systems (GDS), connecting travel buyers and suppliers across airlines, hotels, car rental companies and other travel providers. Sabre’s suite of products includes reservation and ticketing systems for travel agencies, comprehensive airline operations and passenger services solutions, as well as hospitality property management and central reservation systems for hotels.

Established in 1960 as a joint venture between American Airlines and IBM, Sabre introduced one of the first computerized airline reservation systems, pioneering the automation of ticketing and inventory control.