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

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) issued an update on its third quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. 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

NASDAQ:UAL opened at $115.41 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $37.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.25. United Airlines has a one year low of $82.42 and a one year high of $138.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $114.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.66.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The transportation company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.88 by $0.11. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.56% and a return on equity of 19.05%. The firm had revenue of $17.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.62 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.87 EPS. The business’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. Equities analysts expect that United Airlines will post 10.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on shares of United Airlines from $136.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Bank of America upped their target price on United Airlines from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on United Airlines from $130.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.26.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 7,000 shares of the firm’s 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 215,345 shares in the company, 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 SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 5,331 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.51, for a total value of $562,473.81. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 60,393 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,372,065.43. This represents a 8.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 96,381 shares of company stock worth $10,837,575. Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: United Airlines delivered better-than-expected Q2 results, with earnings of $1.99 per share topping estimates and revenue rising 16.4% year over year, reinforcing that travel demand remains resilient. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target on UAL to $203 and kept an overweight rating, signaling confidence that the stock has meaningful upside after the earnings report. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Several reports highlighted that premium and international demand, plus strong yields, helped offset cost pressure and supported a higher full-year earnings outlook. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: United and Delta both posted strong quarters, but analysts are still debating which airline is the better buy as investors weigh valuation, demand trends and margin durability. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The stock is under pressure because United warned that higher fuel costs could add nearly $6 billion in expenses in 2026, which could squeeze margins despite strong demand. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Investors also reacted to United’s third-quarter EPS guidance of $2.50 to $3.50, which came in below Wall Street expectations and raised concerns that near-term profitability may soften. Article Title

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bison Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines in the fourth quarter worth about $246,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in United Airlines by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 39,872 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,753,000 after buying an additional 7,713 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth increased its position in shares of United Airlines by 92.7% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 12,349 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $853,000 after buying an additional 5,939 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in United Airlines by 23.5% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 292,580 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $23,298,000 after acquiring an additional 55,728 shares during the period. Finally, Cresset Asset Management LLC grew its position in United Airlines by 73.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 9,410 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $749,000 after purchasing an additional 3,987 shares during the last quarter. 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.