United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Issues Q4 2026 Earnings Guidance

Key Points

• United Airlines guided fourth-quarter 2026 EPS to $0.50–$1.50, well below the $1.81 analyst consensus, while forecasting revenue of $18.5 billion, above the $18.2 billion estimate.
• Fuel-cost inflation is expected to pressure margins and has contributed to a lower profit outlook, despite strong bookings, higher fares and projected revenue growth of more than 20% year over year.
• Shares rose 4.0% to $101.67, while analysts maintained an overall “Moderate Buy” rating with a consensus price target of $158.69; 16 of 18 analysts currently rate the stock a Buy.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) updated its fourth quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided EPS guidance of 0.500-1.500 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 1.810. The company issued revenue guidance of $18.5 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $18.2 billion.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UAL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of United Airlines from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. Rothschild & Co Redburn cut their price target on United Airlines from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 18th. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on United Airlines from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 7th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $146.00 to $139.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 16th. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of United Airlines from $192.00 to $167.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $158.69.

United Airlines Trading Up 4.0%

NASDAQ UAL traded up $3.90 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $101.67. The company's stock had a trading volume of 10,637,124 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,724,937. The stock has a market cap of $33.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.30. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $110.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $110.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.72. United Airlines has a 52 week low of $84.64 and a 52 week high of $138.77.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $2.54 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.57 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $17.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.89 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 19.05% and a net margin of 5.56%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.78 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that United Airlines will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other United Airlines news, EVP Andrew P. Nocella sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.00, for a total transaction of $585,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 214,955 shares in the company, valued at $25,149,735. This trade represents a 2.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.91, for a total transaction of $2,398,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 114,800 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,765,668. This trade represents a 14.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 62,308 shares of company stock worth $7,520,754. 0.86% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

United Airlines News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: United forecasts fourth-quarter revenue growth of more than 20% year over year, up from 17.4% in the third quarter. Strong bookings, higher fares and increased customer spending are expected to help offset rising fuel expenses. United Airlines forecasts record fourth-quarter revenue growth above 20%
• Positive Sentiment: Management said the airline recaptured approximately 72% of the increase in quarterly fuel costs, indicating that pricing power and demand remain supportive of operating performance. United also increased its revolving credit facility from $3 billion to $5 billion, strengthening liquidity flexibility. United Airlines: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors
• Positive Sentiment: United is investing in its Houston hub, including an 800-seat airport lounge as part of a $2.6 billion overhaul. The project may improve the premium-customer experience and support long-term non-ticket revenue. United Airlines set to open its biggest airport lounge in Houston
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually heavy options activity was reported, with call-option volume roughly 546% above its average. This suggests increased bullish speculation, but options positioning does not necessarily reflect durable fundamental demand.
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.54 per share fell short of the roughly $2.57 consensus and declined from $2.78 a year earlier. Revenue rose 17.4% to about $17.9 billion, but fuel inflation reduced profitability. United Airlines sees elevated fuel costs through 2027
• Negative Sentiment: United lowered its profit outlook as jet-fuel costs are expected to remain elevated through 2027. The outlook implies continued margin pressure even while planes remain well booked. United Airlines lowers profit outlook as fuel prices rise

About United Airlines

United Airlines Holdings, Inc is the parent company of United Airlines, a major U.S. commercial airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company provides scheduled passenger air transportation and air cargo services, connecting customers across the United States and to international destinations.

United operates a broad network serving North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Its operations are supported by hubs in major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, DC, as well as an extensive network of regional carriers operating under the United Express brand.

The company offers several travel classes and related services, including premium-cabin seating, onboard amenities, airport lounges and the MileagePlus customer loyalty program.

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