United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Cut to Hold at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen cut shares of United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Saturday morning.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on UAL. Susquehanna lifted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $117.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Barclays upped their price target on United Airlines from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Rothschild & Co Redburn dropped their price objective on United Airlines from $125.00 to $110.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. TD Cowen downgraded United Airlines from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. Finally, Argus decreased their target price on United Airlines from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $132.31.

United Airlines Trading Up 4.2%

NASDAQ UAL opened at $90.28 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.83, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.25. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $107.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $104.22. United Airlines has a 12 month low of $52.00 and a 12 month high of $119.21.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The transportation company reported $3.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.13. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 25.13%. The business had revenue of $15.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $15.35 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.26 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. 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. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 12.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other United Airlines news, President Brett J. Hart sold 19,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the president owned 264,638 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $28,170,715.10. This trade represents a 6.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.63% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID acquired a new position in United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in United Airlines in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. BOCHK Asset Management Ltd purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Financial Consulate Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Motiv8 Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 performance and guidance remain supportive — United’s recent quarterly results showed an EPS beat and management set FY‑2026 guidance (12.0–14.0 EPS) and Q1 guidance, which investors view as confirming durable earnings power. Unpacking Q4 earnings: United Airlines
• Positive Sentiment: Hub economics likely to improve — planned renovations at Washington Dulles are expected to strengthen United’s hub profitability and long‑term network advantages, a structural tailwind for margins. United Airlines Long-Term Hub Economics Improves InsiderMonkey: UAL hub economics
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support persists — Bernstein reiterated a Buy on UAL, reinforcing investor confidence despite recent volatility. Bernstein reiterates buy rating on United Airlines
• Neutral Sentiment: UBS cut its price target (from $147 to $134) but kept a Buy — a downgrade in target trims upside but the maintained Buy reduces panic selling risk. Benzinga: UBS lowers price target on UAL
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo trimmed its target (from $145 to $130) but remains Overweight — similar to UBS, the cut signals caution on near‑term estimates while still signaling conviction in recovery. Benzinga: Wells Fargo lowers price target on UAL
• Neutral Sentiment: Long‑term tech/airframe bets remain uncertain — commentary on Boom/Ouverture highlights industry skepticism; it’s a speculative, long‑horizon factor that doesn’t drive near‑term revenue. Forbes: United CEO sets Boom Overture odds
• Negative Sentiment: Sector pressure from rising jet fuel — UBS and others cut earnings estimates for airlines as jet fuel costs spike, creating downside risk to near‑term margins and prompting target trims across the group. US airline stocks near potential bottom as UBS cuts estimates on rising fuel costs Airlines target cut on fuel costs

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.