United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Issues 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.

United Airlines Stock Performance

UAL stock traded down $1.78 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $97.13. The stock had a trading volume of 9,740,001 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,194,691. The stock has a market cap of $31.53 billion, a PE ratio of 9.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.65. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $98.85 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $102.50. United Airlines has a 52-week low of $65.26 and a 52-week high of $119.21.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on UAL shares. Argus dropped their target price on United Airlines from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $150.00 price target on shares of United Airlines and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Susquehanna upped their price objective 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. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Airlines presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $131.19.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

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 transaction, the president directly owned 264,638 shares in the company, valued at $28,170,715.10. The trade was a 6.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.86% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Stories Impacting 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 Investors Weigh In On United Airlines

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UAL. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Quattro Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Airlines during the fourth quarter worth approximately $44,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in United Airlines during the third quarter worth approximately $41,000. DV Equities LLC acquired a new stake in United Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Finally, Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in United Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $61,000. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.