United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results

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

United Airlines Trading Up 0.5%

NASDAQ:UAL traded up $0.62 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $120.97. 5,537,293 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,586,213. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $113.50 and its 200-day moving average is $106.52. United Airlines has a 12-month low of $82.42 and a 12-month high of $138.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Compound Planning Inc. grew its holdings in United Airlines by 9.8% during the 4th quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 4,905 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $548,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC raised its position 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 worth $21,690,000 after purchasing an additional 101,487 shares during the period. Virtue Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in United Airlines in the fourth quarter worth about $201,000. Owlhouse Capital LP bought a new stake in United Airlines in the fourth quarter worth about $5,166,000. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of United Airlines by 2.2% during 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 buying an additional 2,277 shares during the period. 69.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting United Airlines

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on United Airlines from $130.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Zacks Research upgraded United Airlines from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on United Airlines from $136.00 to $153.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. UBS Group lifted their price objective on United Airlines from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on United Airlines from $150.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Airlines currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target 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.