United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Updates Q2 2026 Earnings Guidance

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) issued an update on its second quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.000-2.000 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.960. The company issued revenue guidance of -. United Airlines also updated its FY 2026 guidance to 7.000-11.000 EPS.

United Airlines Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of United Airlines stock traded down $1.78 on Tuesday, hitting $97.13. 9,740,001 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,194,691. United Airlines has a one year low of $65.26 and a one year high of $119.21. 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 company has a fifty day moving average of $98.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $102.50. The company has a market capitalization of $31.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.28.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The transportation company reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $14.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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, sell-side analysts expect that United Airlines will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UAL has been the topic of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on United Airlines from $115.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on United Airlines from $145.00 to $130.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 16th. Barclays increased their price target on United Airlines from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn cut their price target on United Airlines from $125.00 to $110.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 5th. One investment 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Airlines presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $131.19.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

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 Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,510,200 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,287,071,000 after purchasing an additional 52,962 shares in the last quarter. Par Capital Management Inc. grew its position in United Airlines by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Par Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,894,850 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $547,342,000 after purchasing an additional 75,000 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in United Airlines by 56.8% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,928,657 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $325,549,000 after buying an additional 1,060,371 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,434,975 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $234,731,000 after buying an additional 105,525 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of United Airlines by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,709,166 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $164,934,000 after buying an additional 253,033 shares in the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.