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. 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 Stock Performance

Shares of UAL stock traded down $3.01 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $117.96. 3,852,080 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,579,914. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.29 billion, a PE ratio of 10.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.70. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $113.92 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $106.56. United Airlines has a 12 month low of $82.42 and a 12 month high of $138.77.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on UAL. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $182.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on United Airlines from $130.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Monday, April 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on United Airlines from $131.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $150.00 to $176.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $151.62.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In other United Airlines news, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 7,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The stock was 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 owned 215,345 shares in the company, valued at $19,421,965.55. This trade represents a 3.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 34,669 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.41, for a total value of $3,654,459.29. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 67,707 shares in the company, valued at $7,136,994.87. This represents a 33.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 96,381 shares of company stock valued at $10,837,575 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

More United Airlines News

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

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State Street Corp boosted its stake in United Airlines by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,510,200 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,287,071,000 after acquiring an additional 52,962 shares during the last quarter. Par Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of United Airlines by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Par Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,894,850 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $547,342,000 after purchasing an additional 75,000 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of United Airlines by 56.8% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,928,657 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $325,549,000 after purchasing an additional 1,060,371 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners raised its stake in shares of United Airlines by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,434,975 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $234,731,000 after purchasing an additional 105,525 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 17.4% during the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,709,166 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $164,934,000 after purchasing an additional 253,033 shares during the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.