United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Releases Q3 2026 Earnings Guidance

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) updated its third quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 2.500-3.500 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 3.180. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

United Airlines Price Performance

UAL stock opened at $118.81 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $114.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $106.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The stock has a market cap of $38.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.11, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.25. United Airlines has a fifty-two week low of $82.42 and a fifty-two week high of $138.77.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The transportation company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.88 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $17.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.60 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 19.54% and a net margin of 5.56%.The firm’s revenue was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.87 earnings per share. United Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000-11.000 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 10.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $190.00 price target on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup raised their price objective on United Airlines from $132.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on United Airlines from $150.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Susquehanna boosted their target price on United Airlines from $135.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on United Airlines from $130.00 to $157.50 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $151.91.

Insider Activity

In other United Airlines news, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.19, for a total value of $631,330.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 215,345 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $19,421,965.55. This trade represents a 3.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 48,303 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.30, for a total transaction of $5,859,153.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 798,929 shares in the company, valued at approximately $96,910,087.70. This trade represents a 5.70% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 96,381 shares of company stock valued at $10,837,575. Company insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

Key United Airlines News

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

• Positive Sentiment: United delivered a second-quarter earnings and revenue beat, with EPS of $1.99 versus $1.88 expected and revenue of $17.67 billion, helped by strong passenger demand and robust premium travel. United Airlines earnings top estimates but $6 billion in added fuel costs bites
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $9 to $11, signaling confidence in demand and pricing power despite a tougher operating backdrop. United Airlines Lifts Outlook as Higher Fares Blunt Turbulent Fuel Prices
• Positive Sentiment: Executives highlighted record passenger volumes and “incredibly strong” travel demand, reinforcing the view that premiumization and higher fares are still working. United Airlines Breaks Passenger Records Despite Surging Ticket Prices
• Neutral Sentiment: Several post-earnings analyses said United’s valuation looks reasonable or fair on cash flow, suggesting the stock may be more of a fundamentals story than an obvious bargain or warning sign. United (UAL) Stock Looks Fair On Cash Flow While Earnings Hint Lower
• Negative Sentiment: The big drag is fuel: United warned higher jet fuel costs could add nearly $6 billion to 2026 expenses, which is pressuring margins and overshadowing the earnings beat. United Airlines warns higher fuel costs could add nearly $6 billion to expenses in 2026 (UAL)
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter EPS guidance of $2.50 to $3.50 came in below Wall Street expectations at the midpoint, which is the main reason the stock moved down after the report. United Airlines shares fall as weak outlook overshadows Q2 earnings beat

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UAL. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in United Airlines in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines during the third quarter valued at $41,000. Quattro Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in United Airlines in the 4th quarter worth about $44,000. DV Equities LLC acquired a new stake in United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at about $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

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.