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

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. 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.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UAL. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Bank of America lifted their target price on United Airlines from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $136.00 target price on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. TD Cowen raised United Airlines from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on United Airlines from $148.00 to $125.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $131.19.

United Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ UAL traded down $1.78 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $97.13. 9,740,001 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,194,691. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. United Airlines has a 12 month low of $65.26 and a 12 month high of $119.21. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $98.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $102.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.53 billion, a PE ratio of 9.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.28.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The transportation company reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.04. United Airlines had a return on equity of 25.13% and a net margin of 5.68%.The company had revenue of $14.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.19 billion. 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. As a group, analysts predict that United Airlines will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at United Airlines

In other news, President Brett J. Hart sold 19,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.45, for a total transaction of $2,022,550.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president directly owned 264,638 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,170,715.10. This represents a 6.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Trending Headlines about United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat expectations: United reported strong revenue growth, materially higher operating profit and EPS that beat Street estimates, with improved pre‑tax margins and solid cash generation — a clear fundamental beat supporting the stock. United Airlines (UAL) Releases Q1 2026 Earnings: Revenue Growth and Strong EPS Beat
• Positive Sentiment: Management highlights long‑term strategy gains — premium/economy cabin segmentation, MileagePlus enhancements and best‑in‑class on‑time performance — which support margin expansion and higher‑yield customers over time. United’s Long-Term Strategy Remains Focused on Winning Brand-Loyal Customers, Boosted by Q1 Growth in Earnings and Margins
• Neutral Sentiment: Capacity pullback planned: United says it will cut about 5 points of planned capacity for the rest of the year (Q3/Q4 expected flat to +2%), a tactical move that can protect margins but may limit revenue upside if demand stays strong. United Tops Views, Plans To Cut Capacity Amid Fuel Price Surge. Alaska Air Earnings Mixed.
• Negative Sentiment: 2026 guidance cut: United trimmed its full‑year adjusted EPS outlook to $7–$11 from $12–$14, citing the impact of higher jet fuel tied to geopolitical developments — a key reason sentiment weakened despite the quarter beat. United Airlines slashes 2026 forecast as fuel costs surge
• Negative Sentiment: Jet fuel hit: Higher fuel costs added roughly $340M in the quarter, forcing tactical adjustments and pressuring margins if prices remain elevated. United Airlines Profit Rises Despite Higher Jet Fuel Costs
• Negative Sentiment: Merger noise and political scrutiny: Talk that United floated a tie‑up with American has been publicly rejected by American and drawn bipartisan questions about antitrust — the episode raises regulatory and reputational uncertainty. American Airlines Has Denied Rumors of a Merger With United. Here Are 2 Others Factors Dragging Down the Stock Right Now.
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling flagged: Recent open‑market sales by top executives (reported in filings coverage) can be read negatively by some investors, adding to near‑term sentiment pressure. United Airlines (UAL) Releases Q1 2026 Earnings: Revenue Growth and Strong EPS Beat

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 3rd quarter worth $41,000. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth $44,000. DV Equities LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth $51,000. Finally, Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth $61,000. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.