United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 9.000-11.000 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 9.960. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

United Airlines Price Performance

NASDAQ:UAL opened at $118.81 on Friday. 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 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.70. The firm 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. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $114.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $106.59.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released its quarterly 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 19.54%. The company had revenue of $17.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.87 earnings per share. The firm’s 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. Research analysts expect that United Airlines will post 10.68 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UAL has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on United Airlines from $136.00 to $153.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Bank of America upped their price objective on United Airlines from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of United Airlines from $131.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $150.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price target on United Airlines from $150.00 to $176.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Airlines currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $151.91.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Airlines news, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 7,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 1st. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $19,421,965.55. The trade was a 3.15% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 5,331 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 60,393 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,372,065.43. The trade was a 8.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 96,381 shares of company stock valued at $10,837,575. 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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

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

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.