United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Issues Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.10 EPS

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The transportation company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.10, FiscalAI reports. United Airlines had a return on equity of 24.33% and a net margin of 6.06%.The company had revenue of $17.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.62 billion. United Airlines updated its FY 2026 guidance to 9.000-11.000 EPS.

United Airlines Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ UAL traded up $0.62 on Wednesday, hitting $120.97. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 5,368,972 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,580,466. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $113.50 and a 200-day moving average of $106.52. The company has a market capitalization of $39.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.25. United Airlines has a 12-month low of $82.42 and a 12-month high of $138.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.64.

Key United Airlines News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley highlighted United Airlines as one of its top stock picks into earnings, citing expectations for strong quarterly results and potential outperformance. Morgan Stanley picks United Airlines stock
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street analysts’ average price target still implies meaningful upside for UAL, reinforcing the view that the shares may have room to run if earnings and guidance meet expectations. Analyst upside for United Airlines
• Positive Sentiment: United’s new Economy Plus and premium seating features on its Airbus A321XLR aircraft may help it boost ancillary revenue and strengthen its premium-brand positioning. United seat innovation article
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are waiting for United’s Q2 earnings after the close, with UBS saying the market is looking for EPS of about $1.85 to $1.90, well above United’s own $1 to $2 guidance range. United Airlines Q2 preview
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader market futures are higher and investors are generally upbeat on earnings season, which may be providing a modest tailwind to airline shares including UAL. Market rally and futures article
• Negative Sentiment: Fuel costs remain the biggest near-term risk heading into the report, and higher oil prices could pressure margins if United cannot offset them with fare strength or cost control. Fuel cost concern for United Airlines

Insider Transactions at United Airlines

In other United Airlines news, EVP Kate Gebo sold 34,669 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.41, for a total transaction of $3,654,459.29. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 67,707 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,136,994.87. This trade represents a 33.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.19, for a total value of $631,330.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 215,345 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,421,965.55. The trade was a 3.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 96,381 shares of company stock valued at $10,837,575 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Airlines

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on UAL shares. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on United Airlines from $118.00 to $112.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on United Airlines from $131.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $135.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of United Airlines from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a report on Monday, April 20th. Sixteen investment 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 target price of $151.62.

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.