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

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

United Airlines Price Performance

NASDAQ UAL traded down $2.65 during trading on Thursday, reaching $118.32. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 3,933,095 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,581,125. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.40 billion, a PE ratio of 10.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.64. United Airlines has a one year low of $82.42 and a one year high of $138.77. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $113.92 and a 200 day moving average of $106.56.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The transportation company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.10. United Airlines had a return on equity of 24.33% and a net margin of 6.06%.The company had revenue of $17.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $17.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.87 EPS. United Airlines’s quarterly revenue was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. United Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000-11.000 EPS. Analysts expect that United Airlines will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on UAL. Zacks Research upgraded United Airlines from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of United Airlines from $150.00 to $176.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a research note on Monday, April 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on United Airlines from $131.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on United Airlines from $132.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.62.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In related news, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 48,303 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 798,929 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $96,910,087.70. This represents a 5.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 7,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction on Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.19, for a total transaction of $631,330.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 215,345 shares in the company, valued at $19,421,965.55. This represents a 3.15% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 96,381 shares of company stock valued at $10,837,575. 0.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

United Airlines News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: United Airlines reported second-quarter earnings of $1.99 per share, topping analyst estimates, with revenue of $17.67 billion also slightly ahead of expectations. United Airlines (UAL) Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $9 to $11, signaling management still sees strong profitability despite a tougher operating backdrop. United Airlines Lifts Outlook as Higher Fares Blunt Turbulent Fuel Prices
• Positive Sentiment: Management said travel demand remains “incredibly strong,” and CEO Scott Kirby suggested the carrier may still be able to push fares higher. United Airlines CEO on Travel Demand, Fare Increases
• Neutral Sentiment: United is expanding premium seating on select flights, reinforcing its product-differentiation strategy, but this is more of a longer-term business update than a near-term earnings driver. United expands premium seating with empty middle seat on select flights
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter guidance came in below Wall Street expectations, with midpoint adjusted EPS of about $3.00 versus consensus near $3.60. United Airlines shares fall as weak outlook overshadows Q2 earnings beat
• Negative Sentiment: United warned that higher fuel assumptions could add nearly $6 billion in 2026 costs, a major headwind that is weighing on investor sentiment. United Airlines warns higher fuel costs could add nearly $6 billion to expenses in 2026 (UAL)

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of UAL. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the 3rd quarter worth about $41,000. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth approximately $44,000. DV Equities LLC purchased a new position in United Airlines during the fourth 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 $61,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

About United Airlines

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.