United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Releases Q1 2026 Earnings Guidance

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) issued an update on its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.000-1.500 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.070. The company issued revenue guidance of -. United Airlines also updated its FY 2026 guidance to 12.000-14.000 EPS.

United Airlines Trading Down 4.3%

UAL stock opened at $108.57 on Wednesday. United Airlines has a one year low of $52.00 and a one year high of $119.21. The stock has a market cap of $35.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $107.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $100.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.61.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The transportation company reported $3.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $15.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $15.35 billion. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.64% and a return on equity of 26.94%. United Airlines’s quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.26 EPS. United Airlines has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.000-1.500 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 12.000-14.000 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 12.96 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on UAL. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on United Airlines from $117.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on United Airlines from $115.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on United Airlines in a report on Thursday, December 18th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price objective on the stock. Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of United Airlines in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of United Airlines from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $134.94.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In related news, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 120,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.86, for a total value of $12,943,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 666,535 shares in the company, valued at approximately $71,892,465.10. This trade represents a 15.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

United Airlines News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and record revenue — United posted Q4 EPS above consensus ($3.10 vs. $2.97) and reported its highest quarterly revenue in company history, signaling robust demand and margin improvement. United Airlines Q4 and Full Year EPS Beat Wall Street Expectations
• Positive Sentiment: Premium-travel strength and record ticket-sales week — Management and multiple reports highlighted stronger premium and corporate demand (higher-yield customers), which lifts revenue per seat and supports the outlook for record profits in 2026. United Airlines could hit record earnings after strong start to 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction: shares rally — After-hours and morning coverage note that UAL shares rose on the results and optimistic commentary about premium demand and loyalty revenue growth. United offers upbeat outlook on strong premium travel demand
• Neutral Sentiment: Guidance is encouraging but wide — United set FY2026 EPS guidance of $12.00–$14.00 (consensus ~13.13) and Q1 guidance of $1.00–$1.50 (consensus ~1.07). The ranges imply confidence in the year while leaving room for variability — investors will watch cadence and macro sensitivity. United Airlines Press Release (earnings & guidance)
• Negative Sentiment: Macro risk-off pressure — Broader market volatility (risk-off moves tied to political/tariff headlines and Davos activity) is pressuring futures and could cap upside for airline stocks despite company-specific strength. Markets Switch to “Risk-Off” Ahead of Trump at Davos

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UAL. AXA S.A. lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 0.8% in the second quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 15,465 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,231,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its stake in United Airlines by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 11,404 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,100,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in United Airlines by 13.3% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,581 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $153,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in United Airlines by 11.1% in the 3rd quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 2,071 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $200,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its stake in United Airlines by 12.8% in the 3rd quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 1,899 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $183,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the period. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.