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

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 7.000-11.000 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 9.050. The company issued revenue guidance of -. United Airlines also updated its Q2 2026 guidance to 1.000-2.000 EPS.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on United Airlines from $148.00 to $125.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 12th. Morgan Stanley set a $150.00 price objective on shares of United Airlines and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Rothschild & Co Redburn cut their target price on shares of United Airlines from $125.00 to $110.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a research note on Monday. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on shares of United Airlines from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $133.74.

United Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of UAL stock opened at $92.92 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. United Airlines has a 12-month low of $65.66 and a 12-month high of $119.21. The business’s 50 day moving average is $98.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $102.51. The company has a market capitalization of $30.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.28.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The transportation company reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $14.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.19 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 25.13% and a net margin of 5.68%.The business’s revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.91 earnings per share. United Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.000-11.000 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.000-2.000 EPS. Analysts expect that United Airlines will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, President Brett J. Hart sold 19,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.45, for a total value of $2,022,550.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president owned 264,638 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $28,170,715.10. The trade was a 6.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 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: Q1 beat: United posted EPS and revenue above Street estimates (adjusted EPS ~ $1.19, revenue ~$14.6B) and showed rising margins and operating profit, supporting near-term earnings quality. United Beats Q1 Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Operational strength: management highlighted improved pre‑tax margins, on‑time performance and revenue-per-available-seat-mile gains, signaling better unit economics despite cost headwinds. PR: United’s Long-Term Strategy & Q1 Margins
• Neutral Sentiment: Capacity adjustments: United plans to cut roughly 5 points of planned capacity for the rest of the year and expects Q3–Q4 capacity roughly flat to +2%, a defensive move that should limit fuel exposure but could cap revenue growth. United Plans Capacity Cuts
• Neutral Sentiment: Merger talk noise: recent public back-and-forth about a potential United‑American tie-up has been dismissed by American, removing a speculative upside driver but not changing fundamentals. Forbes: Merger Hint Reaction
• Negative Sentiment: Guidance cut: United slashed FY‑2026 EPS guidance to $7.00–$11.00 (from $12–$14 earlier) and Q2 guidance to $1.00–$2.00, both below consensus — a primary driver of the stock decline. CNBC: United Slashes 2026 Forecast
• Negative Sentiment: Fuel shock: management and multiple reporters cite a surge in jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war that squeezed margins (hundreds of millions in incremental fuel expense), pressuring profitability going forward. Reuters: Fuel Surge Squeezes Margins
• Negative Sentiment: Headline coverage and market reaction: outlets flagged a “dramatic” reduction to the 2026 profit outlook, amplifying selling momentum despite the earnings beat. Blockonomi: Dramatic Profit Outlook Cut
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sales: recent filings show senior insiders sold shares, which some investors view as a modest negative signal on near-term sentiment. Quiver: Insider Sales & Q1 Data

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Compound Planning Inc. lifted its stake in United Airlines by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 4,905 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $548,000 after buying an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in United Airlines by 109.7% during the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 193,974 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $21,690,000 after buying an additional 101,487 shares in the last quarter. Virtue Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $201,000. Owlhouse Capital LP acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $5,166,000. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 104,142 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $11,645,000 after acquiring an additional 2,277 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

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.