United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.03 EPS

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The transportation company reported $2.54 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.57 by ($0.03), FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $17.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $17.89 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 18.09% and a net margin of 5.46%. United Airlines’s quarterly revenue was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.78 earnings per share.

United Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of UAL stock opened at $101.67 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.09, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.30. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $109.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $110.71. 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.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on UAL shares. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $192.00 to $167.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Rothschild & Co Redburn decreased their price objective on United Airlines from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of United Airlines from $156.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on United Airlines from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, United Airlines has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $157.44.

Key Stories Impacting United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: United forecast fourth-quarter revenue of approximately $18.5 billion, above the $18.2 billion analyst consensus and representing year-over-year growth of more than 20%. The outlook suggests customers continue to spend despite higher fares. United Airlines forecasts record fourth-quarter revenue growth above 20%
• Positive Sentiment: Management said United recaptured 72% of the increase in quarterly fuel expenses through pricing and other measures. The airline also expanded its revolving credit facility from $3 billion to $5 billion, strengthening liquidity amid an uncertain cost environment. United Airlines: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors
• Positive Sentiment: Approval of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 could eventually help United receive additional aircraft and improve fleet capacity, though the benefit is more relevant to 2027 and beyond. Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 Approval
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option activity—123,676 contracts, about 546% above average—signals increased speculative bullish interest, but options trading does not change United’s underlying fundamentals.
• Negative Sentiment: United’s third-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.54 missed the $2.57 consensus, while revenue of $17.88 billion was essentially in line with expectations. EPS also declined from $2.78 a year earlier as fuel costs rose. UAL Q3 Earnings Miss on Surging Fuel Costs
• Negative Sentiment: Fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $0.50–$1.50 was well below the $1.81 consensus. United also warned that elevated fuel costs may persist through 2027, raising concerns about margins and forcing a reduction in its profit outlook. United Airlines Sees Elevated Fuel Costs Through 2027
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Scott Kirby’s support for a wealth tax has attracted political criticism, particularly given his reported compensation. The controversy may create reputational noise, but it is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby Doubles Down on Wealth Tax Support

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In other news, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.00, for a total transaction of $585,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 214,955 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,149,735. This represents a 2.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, President Brett Hart sold 30,108 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.72, for a total value of $3,634,637.76. Following the transaction, the president owned 371,583 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $44,857,499.76. The trade was 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 sold a total of 62,308 shares of company stock worth $7,520,754 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

About United Airlines

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.