United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Price Target Raised to $140.00

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) had its price target hoisted by TD Cowen from $138.00 to $140.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the transportation company’s stock.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $150.00 price objective on shares of United Airlines and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Argus reduced their target price on United Airlines from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on United Airlines from $149.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on United Airlines from $115.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on United Airlines in a report on Thursday, December 18th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $145.00 price target for the company. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $135.97.

United Airlines Stock Performance

NASDAQ UAL opened at $107.74 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The company has a market capitalization of $34.88 billion, a PE ratio of 10.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a fifty day moving average of $108.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $101.16. United Airlines has a 1 year low of $52.00 and a 1 year high of $119.21.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The transportation company reported $3.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $15.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.35 billion. United Airlines had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 25.13%. United Airlines’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.26 EPS. 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. As a group, analysts expect that United Airlines will post 12.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In related news, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 120,000 shares of United Airlines stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.86, for a total value of $12,943,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 666,535 shares in the company, valued at $71,892,465.10. The trade was a 15.26% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in United Airlines by 73.1% during the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 6,662 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $745,000 after purchasing an additional 2,813 shares in the last quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in United Airlines by 11.4% during the fourth quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,981 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $669,000 after acquiring an additional 612 shares during the period. E&G Advisors LP acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at $207,000. Burney Co. bought a new stake in United Airlines in the fourth quarter valued at $3,362,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of United Airlines by 28.0% during the fourth quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 35,357 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,954,000 after buying an additional 7,739 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.69% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting United Airlines

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat expectations: UAL reported $3.10 EPS and record revenue of $15.4B, plus guidance for FY‑2026 EPS of $12.00–$14.00 — data investors see as proof of resilient premium and corporate travel demand. UAL Stock Taking Flight After Earnings Confirm Strong Demand
• Positive Sentiment: Business travel rebound: Management and coverage highlight strong corporate/business travel returns, which support higher-yield revenue and margin recovery. Business Travel Is Back—United Airlines Says Demand Is ‘Amazing’
• Positive Sentiment: Loyalty revenue growth: Loyalty revenue rose ~10% in Q4 and ~9% for the year, a durable, high-margin stream that underpins forward EPS power. United Airlines Distinguishes Between Loyalty, Rewards Programs
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Several analysts raised price targets (e.g., TD Cowen to $140; Goldman raised its UAL target earlier), which lends conviction to upside estimates and likely supported recent buying. Benzinga (analyst target coverage)
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry context — MarketBeat notes Delta and United earnings suggest the sector may be good value, but airlines still face elevated operating costs and staffing issues; this is constructive long-term but mixed near‑term. Delta and United Earnings Point to Less Turbulence Ahead
• Neutral Sentiment: Minor analyst downgrades/target trims: Some houses trimmed targets slightly (Argus $140→$135) but maintained Buy ratings — reduces near-term enthusiasm but still implies material upside. UAL price target lowered at Argus
• Negative Sentiment: Government‑shutdown drag: Analysts and filings cite a roughly $250M hit to Q4 results and broader FAA disruption that pressured operations — a clear headwind to near‑term profitability and guidance credibility. United Airlines: Still Waiting For A Rerating
• Negative Sentiment: Goldman cuts industry outlook: Broader industry outlook was trimmed as the shutdown effects linger, which can pressure sentiment for all major carriers including UAL. Goldman Sachs Cuts Industry Outlook as Government Shutdown Drags on United Airlines’ Q4 Earnings Expectations
• Negative Sentiment: Operational/PR noise: Viral footage of an angry passenger and an escalating competitive battle at Chicago O’Hare add short-term reputational/competitive risk that can trigger volatility or investor caution. This video of an angry United Airlines passenger shows how competitive boarding a plane is now

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.